2009 PBA Women’s Series Kicks Off This Week in Omaha
Series grows from four to seven events and includes diverse field

The women take the stage on the PBA Tour this week as the 2008-09 PBA Women’s Series kicks off at the Pepsi Viper Championship at Thunder Alley in Omaha, Neb., Oct. 29-Nov. 2.

The PBA Women’s Series will feature a diverse field including veterans Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Tennelle Milligan, fresh, young faces in Adrienne Miller and Trisha Reid, and international stars Clara Guerrero and Shalin Zulkifli, of Colombia and Malaysia, respectively.

“I think everyone can identify with at least one woman on the tour,” Zulkifli said. “We all have so many different styles and come from different backgrounds.”

The 16 exempt-bowler field was determined at the 2008 PBA Women’s Tour Trials, which were held in conjunction with the 2008 Women’s U.S. Open, a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) event. The top 12 women advanced through the PBA Women’s Tour Trials, while the four winners of last season’s events --- Diandra Asbaty, Dorin-Ballard, Joy Esterson and Shannon Pluhowsky --- received automatic berths.

The 2008 PBA Women’s Series, which is sponsored by the USBC, marks the only opportunity for women to bowl on Tour since the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) folded in 2003. Five of the current PBA Women’s Series players were PWBA Alum ---- Dorin-Ballard, Milligan, Brenda Mack, Michelle Feldman and Shannon O’ Keefe.

The PBA Women’s Series, which debuted in 2007, proved to be so popular that the PBA increased the series to seven events as part of the 50th anniversary PBA Tour season.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Dorin-Ballard said. “I think going from four events to seven is definitely a step in the right direction.”

The championship match of each event will be televised live on ESPN as part of the regular PBA Tour telecast. Each PBA Women’s Series event, which will run concurrently with seven Lumber Liquidators’ PBA Tour events, including this week’s Pepsi Viper Championship, will feature a $51,100 prize fund, including a $10,000 top prize.

The 16 exempt women bowlers for the 2008-2009 season include: Asbaty<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37075>, Missy Bellinder<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=13568>, Dorin-Ballard<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=13610>, Esterson<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=35275>, Feldman<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=30190>, Guerrero<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37096>, Mack<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37076>, Miller<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37091>, Milligan<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37206>, Stefanie Nation<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37029>, O’Keefe<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37068>, Jen Petrick<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37069>, Pluhowsky<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37077>, Reid<,">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37078>, Jodi Woessner<">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=37079> and Zulkifli<.">http://www.pba.com/players/bowler.asp?ID=36236>.

Women’s Series play begins this week with the Round of 16 on Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. The top 10 women return on Friday for Round Robin match play, with the top two advancing to Sunday’s live ESPN finals.


For the complete tournament schedule, see below.



2008 PBA Women’s Series Schedule
Date Tournament Location
Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2008

Pepsi Viper Championship Women's Series<">http://www.pba.com/PWS/tournament.asp?ID=1589>

Omaha, Neb.

Nov. 12 - 16, 2008

Chameleon Championship Women's Series<">http://www.pba.com/PWS/tournament.asp?ID=1590>

Taylor, Mich.

Nov. 26 - 30, 2008

Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship Women's Series<">http://www.pba.com/PWS/tournament.asp?ID=1591>

Vernon Hills, Ill.

Dec. 3 - 7, 2008

Cheetah Championship Women's Series<">http://www.pba.com/PWS/tournament.asp?ID=1592>

Cheektowaga, N.Y.

Dec. 10 - 14, 2008

Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship Women's Series<">http://www.pba.com/PWS/tournament.asp?ID=1593>

Baltimore, Md.

Jan. 4 - 6, 2009

Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles Championship<">http://www.pba.com/pbatour/tournament.asp?ID=1577>

Reno, Nev.

Jan. 14 - 18, 2009

Earl Anthony Medford Classic Women's Series<">http://www.pba.com/PWS/tournament.asp?ID=1594>

Medford, Ore.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, CLR, Denny's, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Motel 6, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com< href="">.">http://www.pba.com/>.